Being a coach for Viatris in the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Pittsburgh Heart Walk is deeply personal to me. Heart disease runs through my family, and I’ve seen firsthand the courage it takes to survive—and to keep moving forward.
- My grandmother had a triple bypass just two weeks before my wedding and fought her way through recovery to see me walk down the aisle.
- My father-in-law has survived two heart attacks and a stroke, each time reminding me with a smile how lucky he feels to still be here.
- My dad loves technology, and I bought him the first Apple Watch. Within a few months, it alerted him to irregular heart beat patterns, which led to him seeking emergency care and being diagnosed with atrial fibrillation—a silent danger that could have led to a stroke if not caught in time.
- Two years ago, my husband faced two clogged arteries that turned his active lifestyle upside down, teaching me just how much heart disease impacts both physical and mental health
- And now, this Friday, my mother will undergo open-heart surgery to repair a prolapsed mitral valve.
Thanks to the AHA's investment in research, families like mine have been given more precious time together. I believe my loved ones are still here today because of the progress the AHA has helped drive.
That’s why I walk and am asking you to join me on Oct. 4 at Hartwood Acres. Let’s walk side by side to fight heart disease and stroke—for my family; for your family; for every family.
Together, we can give more people the chance to smile, laugh and live fully with the people they love.